Bibliography

Charles-Edwards, T. M., “Early Irish saints’ cults and their constituencies”, Ériu 54 (2004): 79–102.

  • journal article
Citation details
Article
“Early Irish saints’ cults and their constituencies”
Periodical
Ériu 54 (2004)
Mac Cana, Proinsias, Rolf Baumgarten, and Liam Breatnach (eds), Ériu 54 (2004), Dublin: Royal Irish Academy.
Volume
54
Pages
79–102
Description
Abstract (cited)

This article explores the differences between early Irish saints' cults, concentrating mainly but not exclusively on those associated with the Fothairt. It begins with a simple and local cult, that of Damnat of Tedavnet, and a complex and widespread cult, that of Brigit. It is argued that Brigit's cult had at least four constituencies: the Fothairt, Kildare, Leinster, and the weak throughout Ireland and even in Britain. Brigit's cult among the Fothairt is then contrasted with that of another Fothairt saint, Fintan of Clonenagh; and Fintan's cult, in turn, is contrasted with that of Rígnach. The Uí Ercáin, a branch of the Fothairt, illustrate how the political status of a cult's constituency may determine its character. Finally, the shift from an alliance between cults to competition is studied in the example of Cainnech and Columba.

Subjects and topics
Headings
saints of Ireland Irish hagiography
Sources
Texts
History, society and culture
Agents
Brigit of KildareBrigit of Kildare
(c. 439/452–c. 524/526)
patron saint of Kildare, whose cult spread both within and outside of Ireland.
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Cainnech of AghaboeCainnech of Aghaboe
Cainnech moccu Dalonn
Cainnech moccu Dalonn, patron saint of Achad Bó Chainnig (Aghaboe, Co. Laois) and Cell Chainnig (Kilkenny)
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Colum CilleColum Cille
(fl. 6th century)
Columba
founder and abbot of Iona, Kells (Cenandas) and Derry (Daire).
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Damnat of TedavnetDamnat of Tedavnet
Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

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Fintan of ClonenaghFintan of Clonenagh
(supp. fl. 6th century)
Fintan of Taghmon
No short description available
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FothairtFothairt
Fotharta
No short description available
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RígnachRígnach
Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

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Saint PatrickSaint Patrick
(fl. 5th century)
St Patrick
No short description available
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Uí ErcáinUí Ercáin
Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

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Places
Contributors
Dennis Groenewegen
Page created
June 2021, last updated: December 2021